Republicans still lag on immigration issue

Midland Reporter-Telegram

Published 7:31 am, Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Much of what President Barack Obama did last week by easing enforcement of the nation’s immigration laws has merit, but we disagree with the method he used in another blatant attempt at playing presidential politics.

Obama offered thousands of illegal immigrants the opportunity to stay in the country and work. Under the administration’s plan, illegal immigrants will be able to avoid deportation if they can prove they were brought into the United States before they turned 16 and are younger than 30, have been in the country for five continuous years, don’t have a criminal history, graduated from a U.S. high school or earned a GED or served in the military.

Obama admitted this is only a temporary fix and does not provide a pathway to citizenship or provide amnesty. In many ways, however, it does achieve goals set forth in the DREAM Act, legislation that provides citizenship for many young illegal

immigrants.

Obama’s path bypasses Congress and takes on the full effect of the DREAM Act. The president shouldn’t be the lawmaker but should be guiding Congress to deal with his agenda. No doubt this move is to play to the Hispanic voters during a heated presidential election cycle. It may help the president with Hispanic voters, but he shouldn’t have done an end around Congress on this issue.

While we disagree with this blatant disregard for the political process, we also are disappointed with the Republicans for their failure to address those immigrants acting as productive members of our community.

Mitt Romney, the likely Republican nominee, has said the issue of young illegal immigrants should be addressed with legislation but has not provided a plan of action. He would not even commit to reversing Obama’s decision to stop deporting some of those who came to the U.S. as children.

Texas Republicans opened a conversation on the issue at the state convention. There was talk about guest worker programs and other related items, but the party needs a full-force immigration plan.

It also would be wise to adopt a plan that will not send Hispanics to the Democratic Party. Republicans face the very real possibility of being left behind when it comes to attracting votes from the fastest-growing segment of our community.

It doesn’t matter whether we are addressing November’s election or the next 50 years, Republicans should expect more. Illegal immigration is an issue that is not going to go away, and both parties must deal with it.

We can’t have a president imposing the will of law on immigration issues any more than we can have Republicans ignoring the issue. It’s time we take immigration off the back burner and make some decisions that will withstand the force of law and this nation’s daily enterprise.